Burger Shoppe Is Bad to the Bone MarrowPop Burger was the original burger joint–cum–party spot, so when partner Kevin O’Connell opened Burger Shoppe in the financial district a couple weeks ago, we were curious to see what would be on the house sound system.

Neighborhood Watch2/15/2008

It’s Pancake Month — Where to Celebrate; New Fresco FinancialAstoria: Igloo, at 22-26 31st Street, serves brunch, and the fries are “hot and crisp, not soggy at all.” That would describe the ideal fry, no? [Joey in Astoria]
Financial District: A second Fresco on the Go is set to open in May at 10 Hanover Square, only this version will be 8,000 square feet and “combine elements of a retail store, restaurant, and party space.” [Zagat]
Morningside Heights: It’s Pancake Month! And it’s no surprise that some of the best hot cakes in town can be found at Clinton Street’s sister restaurant, Community Food & Juice. [Gridskipper]
Tribeca: The new sommelier at Cercle Rouge, Jorge Riera, comes from the late 360 in Red Hook, and he’s hosting a biodynamic-wine dinner on Monday with Loire Valley winemakers Chateau Tour Grise. [Grub Street]
West Village: Le Gamin has been rechristened the New French now that one of the owners is out and there’s a new chef and a reworked menu. [Bottomless Dish/Citysearch]

Neighborhood Watch2/4/2008

Wing Woes on First Avenue; French Bistro Tougher Than Gun Shots in BrooklynDitmas Park: Patois and Sweetwater owner Jim Mamary is opening a French bistro at the corner of Newkirk Avenue and Argyle Road, and his progress hasn’t been hampered by a recent shooting nearby: “You can’t open up a flower shop on a strip nobody would walk on. It’s us guys who take the risks. Restaurants take the risks.” [NYT via Eater]
East Village: Despite having encouraged wing reservations for yesterday’s big game, Atomic Wings lost track of orders and left customers waiting one to two hours for what turned out to be cold Buffalo not-so-goodness. [Grub Street]
Financial District: A new Mexican cantina called Mad Dog and Beans has brought fish tacos and chiles rellenos to Pearl Street. [Zagat]
Soho: Palacinka has lost its lease. [Eater]
West Village: L’Impero alum chef Michael Genardini will be in the kitchen of a rustic Italian eatery called I Sodi, which should be ready this March in the former Puff & Pao space. [TONY]

NewsFeed1/31/2008

The Palm Coming to Chambers Street
The Palm, having launched satellite steakhouses everywhere from Atlanta to Atlantic City, will soon have a third restaurant right here in the 212. The restaurant confirmed a tip that a third Palm is coming to the financial district — Chambers Street, to be exact. We’re still working on the address but thought you would like to know, because there aren’t enough steakhouses popping up in Manhattan these days.
Related: Can Downtown Support Another Steakhouse?

NewsFeed1/29/2008

Four Seasons Bringing Hotel and Restaurant to Ground-Zero AreaWith the hype starting to swirl over which restaurateur will snag space in the Freedom Tower, Crain’s brings news that the Four Seasons will be erecting an 80-story structure designed by Robert A.M. Stern to contain a hotel, condos, and a restaurant. The city’s tallest residential tower will open in 2011 at 99 Church Street, a block from ground zero. Taking inflation into account, we predict the martinis will be at least $30 by then.
Four Seasons Inks Deal for Downtown Hotel [Crain’s NY]
Related: Robert A.M. Stern Likens New Larry Silverstein Development to the ‘Titanic’ [Daily Intel]